From Medellín, Colombia, Maluma invites Billboard‘s Co-Chief Content Officer Leila Cobo on a personal horseback ride, during which he opens up like never before. In this exclusive interview, he shares details about the upcoming arrival of his son, his new music, Loco X Volver, his mental health and other personal topics that define this new chapter. He also speaks candidly about anxiety, the elections and the emotional memory of Yeison Jiménez.

Maluma: I love who I am. It doesn’t matter if tomorrow they take away my fame, my money, my connections, if they take everything, I’m going to be fine. I want my daughter to enjoy her country, damn it, because she’s from here. Paris wasn’t born in Medellín, and the baby is going to be born in Medellín. 

Leila Cobo: Oh, the baby is going to be born in Medellín too? 

Of course, my whole country, you know? Paris’ favorite food is arepa with cheese, aguapanela, coffee, chicharrón and blood sausage. And then over there, you go and there’s no blood sausage. 

And did they take you as a kid to those horse parades with aguardiente, like the ones in Cali? 

Well, of course. Thank goodness they didn’t give me aguardiente though I definitely wasn’t lacking the desire, but yes, of course. It’s just that, since it’s early any respectable little horse parade has aguardiente. Aguardiente, orange soda. I really like aguardiente with orange soda, like Postobón orange soda, like coquito as a chaser — coconut is amazing. Or uchuvas; I love aguardiente with uchuvas. No, these kinds of plans are really great. Hopefully you’ll like it so you’ll come back. Even if we don’t do any activity, just so you’ll come with your family. We’re with Billboard from Medallo, my friend. 

Juan Luis, is this your happy place? Of everything you have in Medellín, is this the one you like the most? Is this your spot, or is it the house too? 

Let’s say that anywhere there are horses and nature, that’s my happy place.

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